Although rival candidates consider Tommy Suharto's 10-year absence from politics as a critical drawback in his chances of being elected chairman of Golkar, others within the former ruling party still view his father, former President Suharto, with affection.

Jailed briefly for ordering the murder of the Supreme Court justice who convicted him of graft, Tommy again stirred up controversy during the party's national leadership conference by promising the chairman of each party branch who voted for him Rp 50 billion ($5.3 million) for "local development projects."

The Jakarta Globe was one of a handful of media outlets given the rare opportunity to penetrate Tommy's heavy security and sit down with a man who – though short of words – promised to revive the fortunes of his strongman father's former political vehicle.

What is the real level of support that you have secured among Golkar branch chairmen?

For sure, we will try to pass the first selection by fulfilling the requirement to meet 30 percent of the total votes. Afterward, we will share our vision and mission with the branch chairmen. I hope that they understand the real condition of the party, and will want to save and build the party with me.

There is a party candidate who says that you have approached him to synergize the support in case you don't pass the first selection stage. Is that correct?

Who said that? I haven't talked to other candidates and neither has my team.

What is your response to Vice President Jusuf Kalla's statement that it is better that Golkar distance itself from the government?

I think it was in line with my vision and mission that Golkar should be managed independently, not support the government's coalition and at the same time not become the opposition. We have to support the government's policies if it does a good job, but we have to be firm in opposing the government if it issues policies that do not support the people.

Do you think Kalla supports you?

I don't know. What do you think? (laughs)

If you fail to be selected as chairman during this congress, are you going to form a new party like other Golkar leaders have done?

No, I will not do such a thing. I will remain with Golkar.

Or join the winning candidate maybe?

No. I will remain outside its leadership.

So you will not run for the next chairmanship?

No.

Three candidates had declared they were running chairman, then three weeks before the congress you announced you were running as well. Why? Don't you trust them?

It's not about trust issues. My motivation was that I just wanted to serve this nation through the Golkar Party.

Why Golkar?

Time is really short. It's time for Golkar to be managed better. After the reform movement, they said that Golkar was to be managed under a new paradigm. But instead of improving, the party actually declined. So I think the new paradigm that they brought should be restored to make a better Golkar.

What's your family's response over your decision to run for chairmanship? Do they support you?

Yes, of course. If they didn't, I would not have come this far.

Many say Aburizal Bakrie and Surya Paloh are frontrunners. Are you confident you can win?

I just hope that the district branch chairmen have some conscience. If they want to make Golkar into a big party, they have to run with me.